Speedmaster 105.003-64, are these one year only case designs? Calling all 64 Ed White owners

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Here is my 64 just back from STS (again) as iv had the original DON removed in favour of this nos 1960's original decimal bezel (this isn't the service replacement it's a NOS original)

 
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I'm convinced now that the 64 was a single year only case, my own 64 was actually made 6.9.1965 and delivered to the UK in December 1965 so although a 64 as actually made in 65.

I have been approached by an old friend and forum lurker who has a bevel edge 64 but the serial is in the 65 range so I believe thats probably a 65 with a 64 caseback (no doubt done at the factory). I guess the overwhelming consensus though is that there is a variation of 64 that was made without the bevel edges, simply the overwhelming evidence (including the pretty conclusive images of the Gemini NASA watches) leans towards a specific case design different to that of the other 105.003 watches
 
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Great work and insight. I'd say the evidence is fairly conclusive. I'm sure there may be outliers, where an original 64 case has bevels (given the supposed 'parts bin' approach. But it certainly suggests that the majority of 64 should have this case.

I'm sure I've rejected at least one 64 in the past as I thought it had been over polished!
 
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oh boy just chanced upon this! looking to get my 64 in the coming weeks, will hope to contribute my 2 cents from my piece, based on photos so far it looks like my incoming piece also has no bevel! excited to join the "64" family soon!! 😜
 
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Hello, newbie alert, just registered and this is my first post.

I bought a 105.003-64 from Mike Wood at The Old Watch Shop last week and the case is in remarkable condition for a 53 year old watch.

Not sure if this adds a great deal to the on-going debate, but interesting never the less.

The watch is now with Simon Freese to work his magic, replace the incorrect service hands, put the don insert in and undertake a full movement service.

Ken
 
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Hello, newbie alert, just registered and this is my first post.

I bought a 105.003-64 from Mike Wood at The Old Watch Shop last week and the case is in remarkable condition for a 53 year old watch.

Not sure if this adds a great deal to the on-going debate, but interesting never the less.

The watch is now with Simon Freese to work his magic, replace the incorrect service hands, put the don insert in and undertake a full movement service.

Ken

Nice looking watch!

Any chance of some lug shots? Sort of like these (random pics swipped from the internet)..

 
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Thank you.

Bit tricky as the watch has gone off for service, but I am anal and always take a load of images of new arrivals, hopefully these help.
 
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Here is my 64 just back from STS (again) as iv had the original DON removed in favour of this nos 1960's original decimal bezel (this isn't the service replacement it's a NOS original)

How can you tell it's a NOS original bezel?
 
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Actually not that tough to see if it's the vintage decimal once you look at it more often. I'd now look at the space between 7 and 0, 5 and 0 and the shape of 4.
 
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Vintage on top, Service on the bottom

I see what you mean. Tom Dick's certainly looks like a vintage one, but the font looks fatter. On the "5" in "50" it's pretty clear
 
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Also note the space between the 5 and the 0 between the two.
 
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When you see the vintage ones side by side with the service on the difference is clear but really not the easiest thing to spot.

Which incidentally is how I manage to steal it on eBay after it had been listed for over a week for only £400 as clearly everyone just assumed it was a service replacement and where too busy ogled DON bezel

KJH666, welcome.... I know that watch well and have handled it myself, it's a lovely thing. You might want to get the hands sorted at some point to the correct style and have them aged to match the lume on the dial and I guess you will be on the hunt yourself for a DON, or not? For many it really doesn't bother them that much
 
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Thanks Tom, the watch is now with Simon Freese with correct replacement hands and a don insert. He is going to remove the modern luminova, paint the hands and Sub dial hands to a matching aged white and then fill the hands with his secret compound that is colour matched to the dial markers. Should look the business when done.

The watch came with a red box, outer white box with made in England on it and a red wallet and best of all a charming pre-decimal insurance valuation. An Ed White for £60 anyone?